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500W fuel cell powers remote sensors and more

By Paul Dvorak | September 28, 2012

Acumentrics

The 500W RP20 is efficient, reliable, easy-to-maintain and also has significant advantages over existing off-grid, power generation alternatives for the corrosion market.

The RP20 is a first fuel cell well suited for powering remote-sensing instruments such as Lidar, Sodar, and met-tower lighting. It can also power cathodic protection systems. The 500W RP20 is efficient, reliable, easy-to-maintain and has significant advantages over existing off-grid, power generation alternatives for the corrosion market,

The fuel cell electrochemically converts energy from natural gas or propane directly into dc electric power. Its efficiency is up to 20 times that of more frequently encountered thermo-based generators, resulting in the consumption of significantly less fuel while creating significantly less waste heat and air pollutants.  In fact, the RP20 helps users tally annual fuel savings of up to $3,500 per unit over other power generation sources.

The core of the RP20 is a solid-state, ceramic, tubular fuel cell.  With few moving parts – as well as no motor oil, coolant, or hydraulic fluids to change or spill – the system is easy to install and maintain, and requires only an annual site visit to change air and fuel filters. Schematic for the fuel cell

The system can be remotely monitored and controlled several ways: by local ethernet cable, cellular network, or satellite-link modems. The scalable and modular unit lets users install only as much power as is required, with the option to add more units as load requirements grow. Switching from a TEG to the RP20 lets users reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50 tons/year. For this reason, the RP20 is defined as a renewable energy source by the U.S. government and is eligible for significant state and federal tax credits.

Acumentrics
www.acumentrics.com


Filed Under: News
Tagged With: Acumentrics, RP20
 

About The Author

Paul Dvorak

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